Dominican Republic · PUERTO PLATA TOURS

The 15 Best Puerto Plata Tours & Shore Excursions

96 tours  ·  from $36 a head

Puerto Plata is the north coast’s cruise port and its old town in one. These 15 cover the cable car, the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua and the city walks, priced with cruise-day timings in mind.

Puerto Plata City Tours - Downtown Puerto Plata in short visits
Dominican Republic City Tours, Dominican Republic Tours, Puerto Plata Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Puerto Plata City Tours

1.Puerto Plata City Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 590 reviews · from $55Our pick

This four-hour Puerto Plata tour links the Macorix rum museum, a chocolate workshop, downtown streets, a cigar factory, and San Felipe Fortress by air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup is offered at Amber Cove and Taino Bay cruise ports, with bottled water and onboard Wi-Fi. Guides have included Edwin, Francisco, and Virgilio; the group can reach 55.

“This tour was absolutely fantastic, cannot recommend it enough. We were picked up at the meeting spot and jumped into a well air-conditioned van. The two tour guides, Edwin and Francisco, were very friendly, and answered any and all questions we had. We also had some questions prior to the Tour beginning, and they were quickly answered via the app. As described on the website, the tour included multiple areas in Puerto Plata, and the tour guides safely navigated through various areas in the city. Francisco was also kind enough to take photos of the couples on the tour, wherever they wanted photos taken. Cold waters were also readily available…”

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7 waterfalls+typical food - The ride, pickup, and meal before the trail
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7 waterfalls+typical food

2.7 waterfalls+typical food

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 526 reviews · from $60

From Puerto Plata hotels or Amber Cove and Taino Bay ports, ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to Damajagua. After a traditional Dominican meal, hike uphill with a guide, then slide, jump, or swim through a series of waterfalls. Helmets and life jackets are included; water shoes and photos cost extra.

“This was such an amazing experience! Sammy and Louie were the best! The hike was intense in the summer heat/humidity, but the waterfalls were so refreshing!”

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Half Day City Tour in Puerto Plata - A view above the city, then cigars and chocolate
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Half Day City Tour in Puerto Plata

3.Half Day City Tour in Puerto Plata

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 410 reviews · from $40Best value

See Puerto Plata by air-conditioned van, with hotel pickup, bottled water, and soda. Stops include Macorix rum, Umbrella Street, San Felipe Cathedral, a chocolate factory, and ocean views near the fortress. Guides such as Aribel, Yeury, and Junior have been praised for clear explanations and patient pacing. The tour lasts about three to four hours and costs $40 per person.

“Yeury was great from the start, communicating with me through email before the tour and answering questions. He was very friendly, took pictures and had some good jokes.”

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Puerto Plata City Tours from amber cove and Taino bay - San Felipe Fortress and the city’s coastal views
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Puerto Plata City Tours from amber cove and Taino bay

4.Puerto Plata City Tours from amber cove and Taino bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 327 reviews · from $55

From Amber Cove or Taino Bay, this roughly four-hour Puerto Plata tour pairs a driver and air-conditioned transport with city sights such as San Felipe Fortress, Central Park and Umbrella Street. Expect stops linked to amber, rum, cigars and chocolate. Guides named Rigo, Agustin, Augustine and Jose have led tours, though the exact route and amount of walking can vary.

“Agustín did a wonderful job on our tour. He stayed within the vicinity of us the whole time so that we never felt uncomfortable touring a city as 2 women, he was friendly and knowledgeable and we got to see many highlights of Puerto Plata.”

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Private Transfer from or to Puerto Plata Airport - What the vehicle and included extras mean in practice
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Private Transfer from or to Puerto Plata Airport

5.Private Transfer from or to Puerto Plata Airport

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 257 reviews

Dominican VIP Transfers provides private rides to or from Puerto Plata Airport for groups of up to seven. Your driver tracks your flight and waits with a sign showing your name and reservation details. Expect an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, soda, and WiFi, with a direct ride instead of a shared shuttle.

“Our driver Alex was awesome! He took his time to point out landmarks and provided cold drinks…We have already booked our next reservation.”

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Puerto Plata City Tour VIP (Private and Customizable) - Chocolate, rum, and the cigar workshop
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Puerto Plata City Tour VIP (Private and Customizable)

6.Puerto Plata City Tour VIP (Private and Customizable)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 223 reviews · from $105

Explore Puerto Plata by private, air-conditioned van with a local guide from Ismael Transfer Tours. Choose among the fort, market, rum and chocolate stops, colorful downtown streets, and more. Lunch is included, and guides such as Ismael, Elvin, Elias, and Gelson lead tours. The cable car is currently out of service and is not included.

“This tour was the best! A private van, complete with AC and cold bottled water, and lots of fun! We did some of the typical tourist things (tours), and Ismael brought us to a typical shopping market for the real Dominican experience. Ismael is an informative and passionate host, and is very protective of those on his tour. This was half the price of tours through the cruise ship, and private for our family instead of a giant bus. We would recommend this tour to anyone and everyone. Ismael was very aware of our cruise departure time the entire tour and ensured we arrived back with plenty to spare. Side…”

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Half-Day Buggy Guided Adventure for Amber Cove and Taino Bay - A Stop for Cigars, Coffee, and Cocoa
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Half-Day Buggy Guided Adventure for Amber Cove and Taino Bay

7.Half-Day Buggy Guided Adventure for Amber Cove and Taino Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews

From Maimon, drive a guided buggy route through countryside and water crossings, with a stop to learn about cigar rolling and sample coffee and organic hot chocolate. Then visit a local beach for an optional swim. Pickup, buggy, helmet, goggles, and bottled water are included. Bring clothes you can get muddy.

“Just a great excursion! Well worth the money and the entire team was awesome! You get to ride throughout the D.R. Countryside. Absolutely beautiful. My entire family said it was one of the best things they had ever done on a cruise. LocRead more”

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Puerto Plata City Tour - Macorix rum, from process to tasting
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Puerto Plata City Tour

8.Puerto Plata City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 193 reviews · from $50

This 3-hour-50-minute Puerto Plata tour pairs air-conditioned rides with short walks to the rum factory, Umbrella Street, Amber Museum, San Felipe Fort and more. You’ll get water, soft drinks, WiFi and a taste of Mamajuana, with a group capped at 15. Guides such as Santos, Alfredo and Junior have earned praise for their local insight and friendly help, though English ability can vary.

“Long walk along the pier and across a large plaza to start the tour. Tour was part driving and part walking. Guide spoke reasonably good English. Visited most of the main attractions in PP, including a great panoramic view of the city.”

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Excursion in Damajagua's 7 Waterfalls - The descent turns the hike into an adventure
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Excursion in Damajagua’s 7 Waterfalls

9.Excursion in Damajagua’s 7 Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 177 reviews · from $60

Hike uphill through forest to Damajagua’s waterfalls, then descend by swimming, sliding and optional jumps. The roughly 3.5-hour trip includes pickup from select hotels and cruise ports, transport, water, helmets, life jackets and entry for seven falls. Guides such as Santos, Luis and Alfredo have led excursions. Expect steep, slippery ground, cool water and possible crowds.

“Pickup from the hotel was on time, everything was well organised. Waterfalls were a bit crowded, but still a lot of fun in a nice natural scenery.”

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Amber Cove & Taino Bay Shore Excursion: 2 person Buggy Tour - Playa Bergantin gives you a breather
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Amber Cove & Taino Bay Shore Excursion: 2 person Buggy Tour

10.Amber Cove & Taino Bay Shore Excursion: 2 person Buggy Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 174 reviews

Set off from Amber Cove or Taíno Bay for a guided buggy ride near Montellano, with a beginner briefing, muddy back roads and a stop at Playa Bergantin for a swim. Expect a bumpy ride and a thorough coating of mud, especially after rain. The package costs $126 for up to two people; pickup and drop-off are included.

“I really enjoyed it. Tour guide was nice, make sure you wear some clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!”

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Catamaran Snorkeling All-Inclusive Day-Trip - Two snorkeling stops, with different prospects
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Catamaran Snorkeling All-Inclusive Day-Trip

11.Catamaran Snorkeling All-Inclusive Day-Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 169 reviews · from $84

Spend about six and a half hours aboard a 75-foot catamaran, with two snorkeling stops around Sosua Bay, lunch, drinks, and hotel pickup. The crew leads the water activities and keeps the sailing portion lively. Crew members have included Alex, Alain, Sonia, Andrew, and Papo, though who is working varies.

“A great time! Excellent staff that made you feel welcome. The snorkeling is enjoyable and loved relaxing on the catamaran. Food was good as well. So good that we went on this excursion when we returned to the DR the following year.”

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Mega Extreme Adventure: Horseback Riding, Ziplining and more - What the schedule means for your day
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Mega Extreme Adventure: Horseback Riding, Ziplining and more

12.Mega Extreme Adventure: Horseback Riding, Ziplining and more

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · from $135

This roughly eight-hour Puerto Plata outing pairs a three-hour visit to Damajagua’s 27 Waterfalls with ziplining, horseback riding, and a Dominican buffet lunch at a farm setting. Guides have included Alexis and Daniel, though your guide may differ. Hotel or port transfers are included; pickup from Sosua or Cabarete costs an extra $10 per person.

“The tour guide rushed us to each activity, rushed guests to finish meal only to ask us to shop in the gift shop. The ziplining was what was expected, however the horseback riding left a lot to be desired. You are not walking through the jRead more”

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Puerto Plata City Tour - Macorix rum, from process to tasting
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Puerto Plata City Tour

13.Puerto Plata City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 142 reviews · from $73

Spend about six to seven hours seeing Puerto Plata by safari truck, from the Amber Museum and San Felipe Fortress to a cable car ride up Mount Isabel. The day also includes the cathedral, a chocolate tasting, lunch, bottled water and hotel pickup and drop-off. Guides have included Juan and Carlos, though the assigned guide can vary.

“the trip was great, I love the Umbrella St and the Pink street, this trip was full of activities and I was satisfied with the experience and highly recommended”

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Catamaran Day Trip, Snorkeling & Sailing Excursion - Two Snorkel Stops, With Crew Support
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Catamaran Day Trip, Snorkeling & Sailing Excursion

14.Catamaran Day Trip, Snorkeling & Sailing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · from $84

Set sail from Sosua aboard a 75-foot catamaran, with hotel pickup in Puerto Plata or Cabarete, two snorkeling stops, lunch, and an open bar. Snorkel gear and bottled water are included. Crew members such as Papo and Alain have been praised for their safety briefings and upbeat hosting. The outing lasts about six and a half hours.

“Even though it started to rain while out, the guides were still amazing at making the whole thing super fun! The food was delicious and the guides were fun 😁”

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Puerto Plata: City Highlights Tour with Mount Isabel & Lunch - San Felipe Fortress and the Seaside
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Puerto Plata: City Highlights Tour with Mount Isabel & Lunch

15.City Highlights Tour with Mount Isabel & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 129 reviews · 6 hours · from $89

Spend about six hours seeing Puerto Plata’s main sights, from Mount Isabel de Torres and its botanical garden to the colonial center and San Felipe Fortress. Your guide speaks English, French, German, Polish, or Spanish. Lunch, rum and chocolate tastings, attraction entries, and pickup from Puerto Plata, Sosúa, or Cabarete are included.

“Great highlights-style tour around Puerto Plata. I could have spent all day at Loma Isabel De Torres (top of the cable-car), but it would be easy (and affordable) to simply return on your own for another day if wanted. IIRC, the lift cost was $US 10 (which was included in the tour). Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly as he showed us the sights and provided some historical and factual information.”

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